Strip-forming and feeding apparatus



July l1, 1950 P. s. SMITH STRIP-FORMING AND FEEDING APPARATUS 1lSheets-Sheet 1 Filed latch 5, 1948 lOl PAUL S. SMITH HIS ATTO NEYS Julyll, 1950 P. s. sMrrH STRIP-FORMING AND F'EEDING APPARATUS 11Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 5, 1948 INVENTOR. PAUL S. SMITH HIS ATTORNEYSJuly ll, 1950 P, s, SMITH 2,514,611

STRIP-FORING AND FEEDING APPARATUS Filed troll 5, 194B 11 Sheets-Sheet 3IN VEN TOR.

HIS ATTORNEYS July ll, 1950 P. s. sMrrH STRIP-FORMING AND FEEDINGAPPARATUS 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fled latch 5, 194B INVENTOR. PAUL S. SMITHHIS ATTORNEYS July ll, 195() P. s. sMn-H STRIP-FORIING AND FEEDINGAPPARATUS l1 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed llarch 5, 1948 Hls AT'ToRNEvs D m HM/.mw MST mv. Y www m.. M E w W f w t s f m, 77W I m Mv m f M HP m July11, 1950 P. s. SMITH STRIP-FORMING AND FEEDING APPARATUS 1l Shaets-Sheet6 Filed March 5, 1948 INVENTOR. PAUL S, SMITH BY E HS ATTORNEYS July 1l,1950 p, s, SMH-H 2,514,611

STRIP-FORIING AND FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Ilaroh 5. 1948 11 Sheets-Sheet7 mmvrolr. PAUL s; SMITH BY l HIS ATTORNEYS July ll, 1950 P. s. SMITHSTRIP-FORKIHG AND F'EEDING APPARATUS 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed arch 5,1948 llllllll H Il 4'/ mamon.

PAUL-s. smTn-l July 11, 1950 P. s. SMITH -mamme .um mums APPARATUS STRIP11 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed March 5. 1948 IN VEN TOR. PAUL S. SMITH HISATTORNEYS P. s. sMn-H 2,514,611

S'I'RIP-FORMING AND FEEDING APPARATUS 11 Sheets-Sheet 10 July l1, 1950Filed Haren 5, 194e nvmvron. PAUL S. SMITH sy Z L ag' HIS ATTORNEYS Julyll, 1950 p, s, SMITH 2,514,611

STRIP-wwwa Am: FEBDING APPARATUS Filed Hatch 5, 1948 1l Sheets-Sheet 11INVENTOR. PAUL S. SMITH HIS ATTORNEYS Patented July ll, 1950 OFFICESTRIP-FORMING AND FEEDING APPARATUS Paul S. Smith, Carlisle, Pa.,assigner to Ellen Bertha Allen.,

Summit, N. J.

Application March 5, 1948, Serial No. 13,303

112 Clalml.

My invention relates to an improved stripforming and feeding apparatusand has to do, more particularly, with a machine for continuouslycutting strips of predetermined length from tapes of predeterminedwidth, of chipboard or like material, so as to form and feedcontinuously a supply of said strips to a magazine, which may form apart of an apparatus in which said strips are used.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a machine orapparatus that will operate at high speed to form strips of chipboard orlike material, of predetermined width and length, and to feed saidstrips continuously to a magazine.

It is an object of my invention to provide an apparatus for keepingfilled, with severable separator strips, the magazine of a machine formaking cemented pile fabric, of the charater shown in United StatesLetters Patent No. 2,302,- 722 for Apparatus for Making Cemented PileFabric, patented November 24, 1942, on my application, and in my pendingapplication for Apparatus for Making Cemented Pile Fabric, Serial No.691,795, filed August 20, 1946, now Patent No. 2,497,330, issuedFebruary 14, 1950. The machine, illustrated in that patent andapplication, makes use of severable separator strips, whichmay be ofchipboard or like material, and which must be of predetermined width andlength, and such machine uses up such separator strips rapidly. One ofthe chief objects of my invention, therefore, is to provide an apparatusthat will keep the magazine of such a machine filled with a supply ofseverable separator strips. The machine for making cemented pile fabricshown in said patent, and in said application-employs two magazines, oneon each side of the machine. The apparatus shown in the presentapplication Vis for the purpose of supplying strips to one of thesemagazines only. A like apparatus will be provided for feeding strips tothe oppqlite magazine.

It is another object of my invention to provide an apparatus capable ofdrawing tapes from coils of tape, cutting said tapes to length to formstrips, and feeding continuously such strips to a magazine, from whichthey may be drawn for use as needed.

Further objects, and objects relating to details of construction andeconomies of operation, will deinitely appear from the detaileddescription to follow. My invention is clearly dened and pointed out inthe appended claims. A structure constituting a preferred embodiment ofmy invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a partof this specication, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in right side elevation of a strip-forming and feedingapparatus embodying my invention, portions being broken away to showparts behind them.

Fig. 2 and 2a, taken together, constitute a top plan view-of theapparatus, portions being broken away to show parts located below them.

Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation to the left side of the apparatus,partly in section.

Fig. 3a is a View in side elevation of one of the saw units, shown withthe saw in cutting position in full lines and, in dotted lines, in theretracted position.

Fig. 4 is a vertical, sectional, fragmentary view of the right side ofthe apparatus, taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, vertical, sectional view taken on the line 5 5of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a vertical, sectional View, taken no the line 6 6 of Fig. 5

Fig. 'i' is a fragmentary, vertical, sectional view taken on the line 11 oi Fig. 2a, showing the operating devices for the strip-feedingfingers.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, horizontal, sectional view, taken 0n the line 88 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a timing chart for the machine,

Fig. l0 is a detail view, partly in side eleva- Ktion and partly insection, showing the mounting oi a pair of strip-feeding fingers.

Fig. l1 is a diagram showing the iluid pressure connections to and froma series of valves for controlling application of fluid pressure atvarious points of the cycle.

Fig. 12 is a view in side elevation of the cams for controlling a pairof carriage jaws.

Fig. 13 is a view in side elevation of the cams for controlling a pairof outer table jaws, and

Fig. 14 is a view in side elevation of the cams for controlling a pairof inner table jaws.

In the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same partsthroughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken lookingin the direction of the arrows at the ends of the section lines.

In general, the strip-forming and feeding apparatus of my inventioncomprises a suitably supported table, a support at one side of thetable, on which a plurality of coils of chipboard tape may be mountedside by side to turn about a common axis, means for gathering the tapesfrom sai-d coils into a tape bundle, in which each tape is disposededgewise on the surface of the table.

means for drawing the tape bundle lengthwise across the table from sideto side, means for severins a portion of the tape bundle to form a stripbundle, and means for moving the strip bundle on the table, in adirection at right angles to the length of the bundle, to feed it to amagazine. The means for drawing the tape bundle across the table mayinclude a carriage having bundlegripping means, and means for causingthe carriag'e tp move across the table from side to side. Thesebundle-gripping means are caused automatically to grip and release atape bundle at predetermined points of the cycle of operation, and areraised and lowered at predetermined points of the cycle. The apparatusmay include, also, means, such as a pair of outer table jaws, forgripping the tape bundle and holding it stationary during certainportions of the cycle, and these table jaws are so controlled that theyrelease the tape bundle, while it is being drawn across the table, andgrip it during the return movement of the carriage and until thebundle-gripping means on the carriage have again gripped the tapebundle. The apparatus may include, also, means, such as a pair of innertable jaws, mounted adiacent the outer table jaws and so controlled thatboth the outer and inner jaws will grip the tape bundle while thesevering means act to sever a portion of the tape bundle to form a stripbundle. The severing means will act to cut the tape bundle between theouter and inner jaws.

Preferably, this strip-forming and feeding apparatus will include twosupports, one at the right and the other at the left side of the table,on each of which supports a plurality of coils of shipboard tape may bemounted side by side for rotation about a common axis, and means, ateach side of the table, for gathering tapes, from the coils at that sideof the table, into a tape bundle. Means will be provided to draw theleft tape bundle from left to right across the table and, then, to drawthe right tape bundle from right to left across the table. The severingmeans will be such as to cut off a portion of each tape bundle to form astrip bundle, and the means for moving the strip bundle on the tablewill act to move a strip bundle cut from the left tape bundle laterallybefore the right tape bundle is drawn across the table. The severingmeans will act, also, to cut a portion from the right tape bundle toform another strip bundle, which is also moved laterally.

Referring to the numbered parts of the drawings, the machine has arectangular table 20 (Figs. l, 2, 2a and 3), extending horizontallybetween four vertical posts 2| and supported on beams 22 and 23extending from one side of the machine to the other between oppositeposts 2| and fastened to end plates 24 and 25, which have brackets 21fastened thereto, which brackets receive and are pinned to the posts 2l.The latter are provided with flanged feet 26 resting on a suitablefloor. Posts 2| also support endplates 28 and 2li, by means of brackets30 which also support the channel beams 3|, extending parallel to eachother from one side of the machine to the other, between the endplates28 and 28. An extension 32 of the table 20 is supported by the beams 33,one at each side of the machine, and the transverse beam 3l, to the endsof which flanged brackets 35 are bolted, which are pinned to supportingposts 36. An extension 31 of the table 26 is supported in a similarmanner on beams 38. and this table extension 31 lies adjacent to and atthe same level as the floor of the magazine of the machine for makingcemented pile fabric, in which the strips produced in this apparatus areused, so that said strips will be fed from the table 26 over the tableextension I1 to the magazine of said machine. The housing I9 of a camswitch is supported on endplate 24 and. similarly, gear housings 40 andIl are supported on endplates 29 and 26.

Driving mechanism The main drive shaft 60 (Fig. 3) is driven from asuitable source of power, in timed relation with the machine for makingcemented pile fabric to which the strips formed in the present apparatusare delivered for use. Shaft 6B drives a gear reducer Il, the outputshaft B2 of which is connected by the flexible coupling 53 to thevertical shaft 6l, which is suitably Journaled in the gear casing Il.Bevel gear 66 is fixed to shaft 64 and meshes with a bevel gear 66 faston the end of a shaft 51, extending from one side of the machine to theother below the table and suitably Journaled in the endplates 24 and 25.As will appear later, shaft 61 is externally splined over portions ofits length. Gear B8, ilxed on the upper end of shaft 54, meshes with anidler gear 69 on a stub shaft suitably .iournaled in the casing Il, andgear 5B meshes with a gear 60 fixed to a vertical shaft 6i, likewisejournaled in gear casing li. A sprocket 62 is fast on the upper end ofshaft Bi. A vertical shaft 63 is arranged in axial alignment with theshaft 8|, being Journaled in suitable bearings in gear casing 40, and asprocket 6l is fixed on the lower end of shaft 63. A sleeve i5 isjournaled on the adjacent ends of shafts 6I and 63 and has fixed to itslower end a sprocket 66, lying alongside, and having the same number ofteeth as, sprocket 62. An endless sprocket chain 68 extendscircumferentially around sprockets 62 and 66 and meshes with the teeththereof, so that sleeve 65 is caused to turn with shaft 6 I. On theupper end of sleeve 65, there is fixed a sprocket 61, which liesalongside, and has the same number of teeth as, the sprocket 6I, thenumber of teeth on each of sprockets 64 and 61 being one less than thenumber of teeth on sprockets 62 and 66. An endless sprocket chain 69extends circumferentially around sprockets 6I and 61 engaging the teeththereof, so that shaft 62 is caused to turn with sleeve 66 and shaft 6I.The sprockets 62, 66, 61 and 64, and the sprocket chains 66 and 66surrounding them, constitute a flexible coupling between shaft 6I andshaft 63 and the timing of shaft 63 with reference to shaft 6| may bevaried by removing one of the sprocket chains 68 and 69, and turning oneof the sprockets with respect to its companion.

Gear 1D is fixed on shaft 63 and meshes with an idler gear 1l, fixed ona stub shaft suitably journaled in the gear casing 40. Idler gear 1Ialso meshes with a gear 12 on the lower end of vertical shaft 13, whichis likewise journaled in the gear casing 4l). A bevel gear 14 is fixedon shaft 13 and meshes with a bevel gear 15 fast on one end of a shaft16, which extends from one side of the machine to the other, above thetable, and is suitably journaled in the endplates 2B and 29. Shaft 16 isexternally splined throughout the greater portion of its length.

On the right side of the machine (Fig. 1), a bevel gear 11 is fixed onthe end of shaft 61 and meshes with a bevel gear 16 fast on the upperend 0f cam switch shaft 19, which is housed in the casing 36.

atraen Tape-gathering means At each side oi' the machine frame (Figs. 2and 2a), there is provided a mandrel 08 Supported by the frame, and aplurality of coils 8| of chipboard tape are mounted on each of thesemandrels to turn about a common horizontal axis. The tapes A from thesecoils pass over an idler roller 82, mounted to turn about a horizontalaxis and 1ocated at such height as to deiiect a sheet of tapes comingfrom coils 8| into the horizontal plane oi the top of table 20. I'hetapes A then pass through a reed 03, which is provided with a pluralityof spaced vertical rolls 8| (Fig. 4), the distance between each twoadjacent rolls slightly exceeding the thickness of the tape. Each tapeA, after passing over the roller 82, passes between a pair of the rolls84, the tape having ilrst been given a quarter turn, so that it ispresented edgewise to the horizontal plane of the table top. The tapes Aare condensed into a tape bundle and pass between a pair of verticalguide rolls 85, so that the tapes coming from the coils at one side ofthe table are condensed or gathered into a tape bundle. The tape bundleformed from tapes A from coils 8| at the right side of the table isdesignated RA, and that formed from the tapes A coming from coils at theleft side of the table is designated LA.

Carriage and carriage jaw mechanism The carriage 90 (Figs. 4, 5 and 6)is of generally rectangular cross section and hollow, and it has a lowerportion 9|, of reduced cross sectional area, reinforced by ribs 92. Thelower end of the portion 9| is open and the upper end of the carriagebody is closed by a top plate 83. The opposite sides oi the carriage areclosed by plates 85, each of which has an inwardly-extending annularange 95. Carriage 90 is mounted to reciprocate back and forth abovetable 20, such movement being imparted to the carriage by the means nowto be described. A bracket 00, fastened to and extending above the topplate 93, is xed to one end of a piston rod 91, which extends through anopening 98 in endplate 30 and carries a piston 99 working in a cylinder|00 (Fig. 4) One end of this cylinder is closed, except for a hole forthe piston rod, by the ilanged end cap III, which is fastened to the endplate 28, and the other end of cylinder |00 is closed by the flanged endcap |02, which is fastened to a wall |03, or other suitable support xedwith respect to the framework of the machine. A pipey |00 admits iluidpressure to the end of cylinder |00 adjacent endplate 20, while a pipeadmits iluid pressure to the opposite end of said cylinder. By admittingfluid pressure to the cylinder through pipe |04, and venting it from thecylinder through pipe |05, the carriage 90 will be caused to move fromleft to right above the table, and by admitting fluid pressure tocylinder |00 through pipe |05 and venting it from the cylinder throughpipe |04, the carriage will be caused to move from right to left acrossthe table. The means for controlling the admission of fluid pressure to,and the venting of it from, pipes |04 and |05. will be describedhereinafter.

A pair of spaced studs |00 (Fig. 6) are fastened to the front and rearwalls of carriage 90 and extend horizontally, having pins |01 whichreceive the inner races of ball bearings |08, the outer races of whichrun on tracks |09 provided on the lower flanges o! channels IIO, securedto the inner sides of the channel beams 3|. Thus.

the carriage is mounted to reciprocate horizontally back and forthacross the table, from one side thereof to the other.

A sleeve (Fig. 5) is journaled at its ends in ball bearings H2 supportedby the inwardlyextending annular flanges 95. The central portion of thesleeve is internally splined, as indicated at H3, and the splinesthereof llt the external splines oi shaft 16, so that sleeve isslidablewith respect to shaft 1B but non-rotatable with respect thereto. Edgecams I|4, IIB, IIE and ||1 are fixed to sleeve within the carriage.

Openings in the upper portions of the front and rear walls of carriage90 are closed by plates ||8 (Fig. 6). having integral therewith a pairoi inwardly-projecting channel e guides H9, and openings in the lowerportions of the front and rear walls of carriage 90 are closed by plates|23 having integral therewith a pair of inwardlyprojecting channelguides |2|. The guides |2| and H9 are aligned with each other,vertically. There are two sets of channel guides, I9 and I2 l, one atthe front and the other at the rear of the carriage 30, and two slides|22 are mounted within the carriage to move vertically in these guides.Each slide |22 includes two side members and an upper cross member |23carrying a roller |24. said rollers, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6,engage the edge cams ||5 and ||1. Slide |22 also includes a partlyhollow cross member |25, extending between and secured to the sidemembers of the slide. It has a central opening |25 of rectangular crosssection, in which there is slidable a rectangular portion of the plunger|21. The upper end of the plunger is forked and carries a roller' |28engaging edge cam Ill. Two bell cranks |29 are fulcrumed on pins |30,carried by cross member |25, with the horizontal arms ol the bell crankswithin the hollow portion of said cross member and extending toward theplunger |21. The ends of these bell crank arms are pr0- vided withtoothed sectors |3|, which mesh with racks |32 formed on the sides ofplunger |21, so that, as plunger |21 is moved vertically with respect tothe cross member |25, the bell cranks |29 will be rocked on theirpivots. Spring |33 has it? ends connected to the vertical arms of thebell cranks and tends to move them toward each other. A guide rod |34extends between, and is fastened to, the lower portions of the sidemembers or slide |22, and jaw carriers |35 are slidably mounted on thisrod. Jaws |38 are fastened to the ,law carriers and depend therefrom.The lower ends of the vertical arms of bell cranks |29 are forked andreceive the pins |31, integral with rectangular members |39, which slidein rectangular recesses in the Jaw carriers I 35. When plunger |21 ismoved downwardly with respect to the cross member |25, the bell cranks|29 are rocked against the tension of spring |33, causing the jaws |36to move away from each other, and spring |33 rocks the bell cranks inthe opposite direction to cause the jaws to move toward each other, whenpermitted by cam Ill.

The ws430,slide |22 and the operating means there or, shown in Fig. 6,are actuated by the edge cams IM and H5, and this pair of jaws grips andreleases a tape bundle drawn from the right side of the machine andindicated as RA. As the carriage moves from right to left across themachine, these jaws will draw the tape bundle RA across the table fromright to left. Carriage jaws I 36, illustrated in Fig. 6, will bereferred to as the right carriage jaws and they are shown at the left inFig. 5. There is an identical pair oi' jaw members |05, and an identicalslide |22 and the actuating parts therefor, shown at the right in Fig.and actuated by the edge cams H5 and ||1. These will be referred to asthe left carriage jaws and they grip and release tape bundle LA drawnfrom the supply of tape at the left side of the machine, and draw saidtape bundle LA from left to right across the table as the carriage movesfrom left to right.

Table jaw mechanism The table jaw mechanism comprises, at each side ofthe table, two pairs of table jaws. referred to as outer and inner tablejaws,each having its actuating mechanism so that the table jaws areprojected above and retracted below the top of the table. and caused togrip and release a tape bundle, at appropriate points in the cycle ofoperations. The table jaws at the right side of the table are providedfor gripping and releasing a tape bundle RA, formed of tapes suppliedfrom the coils supported at the right side of the machine, and thesewill be referred to as right outer table jaws and right inner tablelaws. The table jaws at the left side of the machine are provided forgripping and releasing, at proper points of the cycle, a tape bundle LAformed from tapes from the coils supported at the left side of themachine, and these table jaws will be referred to as left outer tablejaws and left inner table Jaws. The table laws and their actuatingmechanism will be described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 5shows, at the left, the right outer table jaws |13 and their actuatingmechanism, and. at the right, the right inner table jaws |11 and theiractuating mechanism. Fig. 6 shows the right outer table jaws |10. Theleft outer and inner table jaws are not illustrated in detail, sincethey are precisely identical with the right table jaws and theiractuating mechanisms.

Referring to Fig. 5, a cam box |40 is secured to and depends below thetable 20. Openings in the side of this cam box are closed by plates |4|,each having an inwardly-extending annular flange |42. The bottom oi' thecam box is closed by plate |40 secured thereto. The cam box issymmetrically arranged with respect to an opening |44 in table 20. Asleeve |45 is journaled in ball bearings |46 housed within the annularflanges |42, and the central portion of this sleeve is internallysplined at |41. Shaft 51 extends through this sleeve and the externalsplines on the extemally-splined portion of said shaft fit the internalsplines |41 of sleeve |45, so that the sleeve is driven by said shaft.Edge cams |40 and |40 are fixed on the sleeve |45 and actuate the rightouter table jaws. Edge cams |50 and |5| are also fixed on sleeve |45 andactuate the right inner table jaws.

Referring to Fig. 6, openings in the upper portions of the front andrear walls of cam box |40 are closed by plates |52 having integraltherewith a pair of inwardly projecting channel guides |50. Openings inthe lower portions of the front and rear walls of cam box |40 are closedby plates |54, having integral therewith a pair of inwardlyprojectingchannel guides |55. The channel guides |50 and |55, on the same wall ofthe cam box, are aligned with each other, so as to provide two parallelguideways, in each of which a slide |55 is vertically movable. Slide |55comprises a pair of side members connected near the lower ends thereofby a cross bar |51. which carries a roller |55 engaging edge cam |40. inthe case'of the outer table law mechanism shown in Fig. 5. Thecorresponding slide |55v and roller |55 for the inner table jawmechanism engages edge cam |5|. Referring to Fig. 5, two tubes |50 arefixed in openings inthe bottom plate |40 of the cam box, each in linewith one of the slides |55. The lower end of each of these tubes isclosed by a cap |55 and a spring |5| is interposed between the cap andthe corresponding cross bar |51 of slide |55, so that the spring tendsalways to force the roller |50 upwardly against the cam which actuatesit. It will appear, therefore, that the slides |55 are normally pressedupwardly in the cam box, but are moved downwardly therein, lliltheproper points of the cycle, by cams |40 and Each slide |55 includes apartly hollow cross member |52 fastened to the side members of theslide. Each cross member has an opening |50 of rectangular crosssection, in which a rectangular portion of plunger |54 is slidable. Thelower end of plunger |54 is forked and carries a roller |55, which, inthe case of the outer table jaw mechanism, engages edge cam |40, and, inthe case of the inner table jaw mechanism, engages edge cam |50. Twobell cranks |55 are fulcrumed in cross member |52 on pivot pins |51, thehorizontal arms of said bell cranks being housed within the hollowportion of said cross member. 'Ihe end of the horizontal arm of eachbell crank |55 is formed with a toothed sector |50, which meshes with arack |50 formed on the side of the plunger |54, so that verticalmovement of the plunger with respect to cross member |52 rocks the bellcram on their pivots. A spring |10 is fastened at its ends to thevertical arms of bell cranks |55 and tends to rock them to move theupper ends of the vertical arms toward each other. while upward movementof plunger |54 with respect to the cross member rocks the bell cranks inopposite directions against the tension of spring |10.

A guide rod |1| extends between, and is fastened to. the upper portionsof the side members of slide |55. Jaw carriers |12 are slidable on rod|1i and each jaw carrier has secured thereto a jaw |13, which extendsupwardly therefrom and may be projected upwardly through the opening |44in the table 20. The jaws |13, shown in Fig. 6. are the outer tablejaws. The similar jaws |11, shown in Fig. 5, are the inner table jawsand both pairs of jaws may be projected upwardly through the opening |44in table 20. The upper end ci the vertical arm of each bell crank |55receives s. pin |14 integral with a rectangular member |15. which isslidable in a rectangular recess |15 formed in the corresponding lawcarrier |12.

In general, it will be noted that spring I5| tends to move its slide |55upwardly to project its table jaws, such as |13, through opening |44into position above the table top, where they may grip the tape bundle.and the slide is retracted to withdraw the jaws |10 vbelow the table 20by cam |40. Spring |10 tends to move the table jaws |10 toward eachother to grip a tape bundle, but such action is controlled by cam |45.The particular formation of cams |40, |40. |55 and |5| will be describedlater, in connection with the description of the timing of the machine,but it is to be noted that cams, such as |40 and |50, have a specialform, so that slide |55 may move vertically in the cam box |40 withoutcausing a vertical movement of the plunger |54 with respect to the crossmember, such as would cause the jaws |13, for example. to grip a tapebundle.

As stated above, an identical jaw mechanism is provided at the left sideof the machine. This comprises the left outer table jaws |18 and theactuating mechanism thereof, and the left inner table Jaws |11 and theiractuating mechanism, and, as indicated in Fig. 2a, the left table jaws|12 and |11 are adapted to be projected and retracted through theopening |18 in the table 20, so as to grip and release. at proper pointsof the cycle, a tape bundle LA formed from tapes drawn from the supplyat the left side of the machine.

Bundle-severing mechanism Means are provided for severing the tapebundles to form strip bundles therefrom, which comprise two saw units. aright-hand saw unit at the right of the table and a left-hand saw unitat the left thereof. The left saw unit is illustrated in Fig. 3a.. Thesetwo saw units are shown in plan view in Figs. 2 and 2a and they areidentical, except that, in the left unit, the saw is arranged at theleft of the axis of the motor shaft, whereas. inl the right unit the sawis arranged at the right of the axis of the motor shaft. In each unit,the vertical `plane of the saw is at right angles to the longitudinalcenter-line of table 20 and so located that the saw will work betweenthe outer table jaws |13 and the inner table jaws |11 at that end of thetable.

Referring to Fig. 3a, each saw unit comprises a base |80 of U-shape incross section, having laterally-extending flanges |8|, which rest on andare bolted to the table extension 32. Upper surfaces of the base aremachined at |83 and these machined surfaces slope downwardly toward thetable 20 at a slight angle. Square grooves |81 are cut in the sides ofbase |80, parallel to surfaces |88, and receive inwardlydirected flangeson the lower portions of the legs of a carriage |85, which is ofinverted U- shape cross section and has portionsresting on the machinedsurfaces |84. The inclined forward portion |06 of the carriage hasmounted thereon, and secured thereto, a gear casing |81 'housing a pairof meshing bevel gears, which are connected, respectively, to the sawshaft |80 and the input shaft |89 at right angles thereto. The saw |90is fixed to the end of saw shaft |88 and, in Fig. 3a. the saw is shownin the cutting position, in which it has severed a tape bundle on table20. The input shaft |89 is connected by the flexible coupling |8| to theshaft |82 of an electric motor |83, mounted on the support |94 fixed tothe carriage. It will be seen that, as the carriage |85 reciprocates onthe base, the motor and saw will be moved from the position shown indotted lines in Fig. 3a to the full line position and, then, returned tothe dotted line position.

Movement is imparted to the carriage |85 by hydraulic pressure and, forthat purpose. a cylinder |95 is provided, both ends of which are closed,one closed end being fastened at |98 to the base |80. The other end ofthe cylinder is fastened to the base by an adjustable bracket |91, thebracket being rendered adjustable so that the cylinder may have its axisdisposed accurately parallel to the guide surfaces |83. A lug |88,integral with carriage |85, has fastened thereto, at |89, one end of apiston rod 200, the other end of which has fastened thereon a piston 20|working in the cylinder |85. A pipe 202 is connected to one end ofcylinder and a pipe 202 is connected to the opposite end of saidcylinder. and fluid pressure may be admitted to, and vented from, therespective ends of said cylinder through said pipes 202 and 202, underconti-ol of an electromagnetic valve, to which reference will be madelater. When fluid pressure is admitted through pipe 202, and ventedthrough pipe 208, the carriage will be caused to move rearwardly to movethe saw unit from the position shown in full lines invFlg. 3a to thedotted line position, and, when fluid pressure is admitted to thecylinder through pipe 203, and vented through pipe 202, the carriagewill be caused to move in the opposite direction to move the saw forwardto sever the tape bundle.

Strip-feeding mechanism After each tape bundle has been drawn across thetable, it is severed to form a strip bundle, and means are provided forshifting the strip bundle laterally to feed the strips to the magazine,from which they are drawn for use. This strip-feeding mechanismcomprises two sets of strip-feeding finger pairs and, since one set ofsuch finger pairs receives and shifts laterally a strip bundle formedfrom the left tape bundle, LA, these will be termed the leftstrip-feeding fingers. The other set of such finger pairs, whichreceives and shifts laterally a strip bundle formed from the right tapebundle, RA, will be termed the right strip-feeding linger pairs. Thesetwo sets of pairs of fingers are alternately effective, that is to say,while one set is gripping a strip bundle and shifting it laterally outof the path of the tape bundle, the other set releases the strip bundlepreviously shifted and returns to position, so that the tape bundle maybe drawn between the fingers of this set preparatory to their grippingit and shifting it laterally.

Referring to Fig. 7, a channel-shaped member 2|0 is fastened to theunderside of the table 20, being symmetrically arranged with respect tothe longitudinal centerline of the table and the axis of shaft 51. Thebase of member 2|8 is provided with a plurality of groups ofdownwardly-extending tubular bosses. each group comprising the bosses2|| and 2| 2 arranged at equal distances on each side of the centerline,and the central boss 2i3. Housed within the member 2|0 are a pluralityof yokes 2H, one for each group of these bosses. Guide pins 2|5 and 2|G, secured to the bottom of yoke 2 I4 and depending therefrom, areslidable in the bosses 2|| and 2|2, respectively. An actuating rod 2|1,the upper end of which is secured to the bottom of yoke 2 Il, extendsdownwardly through the boss 2| 3. The yoke 2|4 is raised and lowered byraising and lowering its rod 2H. Mounted on brackets 2|8, fixed on aplate 2|8 secured to the bottoms of the beams 22 and 23, is alongitudinally-extending shaft 220, having thereon a plurality of arms22 one arm for every other yoke in the member 2| 0. Each arm 22|straddles the corresponding boss 2 I2 and its inner end is pivotallyconnected, at 222, to the lower end of the corresponding actuating rod2|1. Similarly mounted in the opposite portion of member 2|0 is alongitudinally-extending shaft 223, having thereon a plurality of arms22|, like the arms 22| and straddling the bosses 2|| of alternate yokes.The inner ends of arms 22| are pivotally connected to the lower ends ofthe remaining actuating rods 2|1, as shown in Fig. 8. Thus, the shaft220 serves to raise and lower one set of atmen 11 yokes 2|4, and theshaft 223 the other set of yokes.

Referring to Fig. l, an arm 225 is fastened to the right end of shaft220 and the free end of that arm carries a roller 225 engaging a cam 221fixed on shaft 51. An arm 223 is also fast to shaft 220 and one end of aspring 229 is connected to the free end of arm 223, while the otherendof the spring is connected to a spring anchor 230 fastened to a suitablepart of the frame. The tension of spring 229 tends to rock shaft 220counterclockwise to raise the yokes 2 I4 actuated thereby, and, when thelobe of cam 221 engages roller 225, shaft 220 is rocked clockwise tolower said yokes against the tension of the spring. An arm 23| is fastto the right-hand end of shaft 223 and has a roller 232, at the free endthereof, engaging the cam 233, which is also fast on shaft 51. An arm234, also fast on shaft 223, has one end of spring 235 fastened thereto,the other end of the spring being fastened to a spring anchor 233secured to the frame. Tension of spring 235 tends to rock shaft 223clockwise to raise the yokes 2|4 actuated thereby, but, when the lobe ofcam 233 engages roller 232, shaft 223 is rocked counterclockwise againstthe tension of spring 235 to lower said yokes.

Each yoke 2|4 has tubular bosses 231 and 233 in the walls thereof, inwhich a hollow tube 239 is slidably mounted. Referring to Fig. l0, thereis a spacing collar 240 fixed to the tube 239 and two cylinders 24|surrounding it, one on each side of the spacing collar. One end of eachcylinderls closed by a cap 242, fixed thereto and provided with asuitable packing gland for making a fluidtight joint with tube 239, andthe other end of each cylinder is closed by the cap 243 fixed theretoand having suitable packing for making a flidtight joint with tube 239.To each cap 243 is fastened a member 244, to which a finger 245 isattached. which fingers may be projected upwardly through an elongatedopening 243 in the table 20, when the corresponding yoke is raised. Apiston 241, flxed to the tube 239, works in each cylinder 24|, and aspring 243 is housed within each cylinder, being compressed between theend gap 243 and the piston 241. 'I'hese springs 243 tend to movecylinders 24| toward each other, to the extent permitted by the spacingcollar 240, thus causing the fingers 245 to approach each other to clampa strip bundle. Ports 249 are provided in the tube 239, communicatingwith the space between the corresponding piston 24| and the end cap 242.When fluid pressure is admitted to tube 239, it is effective to move thecylinders 24| away from each other, against the pressure of springs 243,to cause the fingers 245 to release a bundle.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, every other tube 239 extends to the leftthrough an opening in beam 22, and has its left end closed by a cap 250,which is pivotally connected by link 25| to the upper end of an arm 252,fast on shaft 253. The opposite end of each such tube 239 has connectedthereto a pipe 254, by which fluid pressure may be admitted to the tubeor exhausted therefrom, An arm 255, fast on one end of rock shaft 253,is pivotally connected at 253 to a piston rod 251, which carries apiston working in the cylinder 253. This cylinder is closed at both endsand mounted in a bracket 253, so that the cylinder may rock slightlyabout trunnions 230. Fluid pressure is admitted to and vented from oneend of cylinder 253 by pipe 23|, and to the other end of said cylinderby pipe 232. Each of the remaining tubes 239 has its right end closed bya cap 250. connected by link 25| to the upper end of arm 233 fast on theshaft 254. An arm 255, fast at one end of said rock shaft, is pivotallyconnected at 235 to a piston rod 251, which has fastened thereto apiston working in the cylinder 233, closed at both ends. Cylinder 233 islikewise mounted in a bracket 259, so as to rock slightly about thetrunnions 210. Fluid pressure is admitted to and vented from one end ofthe cylinder by pipe 21 and is admitted to and grzited from the otherend of the cylinder by pipe It will be seen that, by controlling thetimes of admitting pressure to and venting it from pipes 25| and 232,one set of tubes 239 will be caused to shift longitudinally to move thecorresponding set of fingers in their openings 243, to shift the stripbundles laterally on table 20, and to Dress the mass of strips laterallyon table 20 and table extension 31 toward the magazine from which theyare to be drawn for use. It wil be observed that these strips arearranged on edge on table 23 and table extension 31 and that they passbeneath a plurality of spaced bars 213, spaced from table 20 and tableextension 31 a distance slightly greater than the Width of the strips.

Fluid pressure control As indicated in the foregoing description, anumber of the mechanisms are controlled by the application of fluidpressure to act at predetermined points in the cycle of operation. Thefluid pressure controls are indicated diagrammatically in Fig. l1. Anelectromagnetic valve 214 is provided having ports 215, 216, 211 and213. Pressure line 219, from a source of fiuid pressure, is connected toport 213. Return line 230 is connected to port 215. Port 211 isconnected by line |05 to one end of the cylinder |00, which causes thereciprccation of the carriage over the table. Line |04, leading from theopposite end of cylinder |00, is connected to port 213. Valve 214 hastwo positions, according to whether the circuit is made or broken to theelectromagnet controlling the valve. In one position, port 215 isconnected to port 213 and port 211 is connected to port 215. In thisposition fluid pressure from line 219 will be admitted through line |04to one end oi' the cylinder |00, and pressure will be vented from theopposite end of said cylinder through line |05. In this position, thefluid pressure admitted through line |04 moves piston 99. and thecarriage connected thereto, in one direction to the limit of movementpermitted the piston in the cylinder. In the other position of valve214, ports 213 and 211 and ports 215 and 213 are connected. so thatfluid pressure from line 219 is admitted through line |05 to cylinder|00, and fluid pressure is vented from the cylinder through line |04 andreturn line 230, thus causing piston 99 to move in the oppositedirection in cylinder |00, to the extent permitted. The making andbreaking oi the circuit to the electromagnetic valve 214 is controlledby one of the cam switches 23|, mounted on shaft 19 within the casing 39(Fig. 4). The formation of this switch cam is such as to make and breakthe circuit at the proper points of the cycle.

Two electromagnetic valves 23| are provided, one for controlling theapplication of fluid pressure to each of the cylinders of the respectivesaw units. Each valve 23| has ports 232, 233, 234 and 235. Port 234 isconnected to the pipe 202 leading to one end of cylinder |95 and port235 is onnected to pipe 203 leading to the opposite end of saidcylinder. Port 283 is connected by pipe 288 to the outlet or a gear pump288 (Fig. l) which, with its driving motor, is mounted on top of a tank288, from which the pump draws iiuid through pipe 280. Return pipe 281returns the lluid from valve 28| to tank 288. A by-pass connection 28|is provided between pipes 281 and 288, and it includes a relief valve282, whereby the iluid may be returned to the tank from the pump,without going through either oi valves 28|, when the pressure in pipe288 becomes excessive. Valve 28| has either of two positions, dependingupon whether the circuit to the electromagnet controlling it is made orbroken. In one position, port 283 is connected to port 284 and port 285is connected to port 282. In that position, fluid pressure from line 285is transmitted through line 282 to one end of the cylinder |85 to movethe saw unit in one direction, to the extent prmitted by the travel ofthe piston in cylinder |85. At the same time, pressure is vented fromthe opposite end of cylinder |85 through line 203 to return line 281. Inthe other position of valve 28|, port 283 is connected to port 285 andport 284 to port 282, and fluid pressure is admitted to the opposite endof the cylinder through line 203 from input line 288, and vented throughline 202 and return line 281, thus causing the saw unit to move in theopposite direction, to the extent of the movement permitted by thetravel of the piston in the cylinder. The circuits to the electromagnetscontrolling the two valves 28| are made and broken by two of the camswitches 28| on shaft 18 within the casing 38, at appropriate times inthe cycle oi' operation.

Two electromagnetic valves 283 are provided, one for controlling theadmission of iiuid pressure to and venting it from each of the cylinders258 and 288, for shifting the respective sets of strip-feeding fingers.Each valve 283 has four ports, 284, 285, 286 and 281. Port 285 isconnected by pipe 262 to one end of cylinder 258, and port 281 isconnected by pipe 28| to the opposite end of that cylinder. In the caseof cylinder 288, port 288 is connected to pipe 212 and port 281 to pipe21|. Port 285 is connected by branch line 288 to the line 288, which isconnected to an air compressor as a source of air pressure. Port 284 isconnected to the vent pipe 300. Each valve 283 may have two differentpositions, depending upon whether the circuit to the electromagnetcontrolling it is made or broken. In one position, ports 285 and 285 areconnected so that air pressure is admitted to one end of the cylinder,258 or 288, and ports 284 and 281 are connected so that pressure isvented from the opposite end of that cylinder. In the other position ofvalve 283, ports 285 and 281 are connected, and port 288 is connected toport 284, so that the application of pressure to the cylinder, and itsventing therefrom, is reversed from the condition obtaining in the otherposition of the valve. circuits to the electromagnet controlling valves283 are made and broken by two of the cam switches 28|.

Admission of air pressure to, and its venting from, the tubes 238 iscontrolled by two electromagnetic valves 30I, one for each of the twosets oi tubes 238. Each valve 30| has three ports, 302, 303 and 304.Port 304 is connected to the pipe 254 connected to one end of tube 238.Port 303 is connected by branch 305 with the line 288 connected to theair compressor or other source of air pressure. Port 302 is connected tothe vent pipe 308. In one position oi the valve, port 303 is connectedto port 384 and air pressure is admitted to tube 238 through the pipe284. In the other podtion of the valve, port 302 is connected to port384 and port 303 is blocked. so that air pressure is vented from tube238 through pipe 254 and vent pipe 305. The electromagnets of valves 30|are controlled by two of the cam switches 28|, so that said valves areshifted from one position to the other at appropriate points in thecycle.

Timing Before describing the timing of the various parts of thismechanism, reference should be made to the contours of the cams used forcontrolling the carriage jaws, the outer table jaws and the inner tablejaws. Fig. l2 is a view in side elevation of a pair of the cams ||4 and||5 controlling the raising and lowering and the opening and closing ofone pair of carriage jaws. This view shows the cams in the positions,with respect to rollers |24 and |28, which they occupy when the carriagejaws are raised above the table and open. As the cams turn clockwise,roller |24 descends portion ||5a of cam ||5 and slide |22 is permittedto move downwardly, lowering the carriage jaws toward the table. At thesame time, roller |28 ascends portion |4a of cam ||4, which imparts toroller |28 exactly the same downward movement that was permitted toroller |24 by cam portion Ilia, so that no movement of plunger |21relative to slide |22 is caused by the downward movement of said slide.Immediately thereafter, roller |28 descends portion ||4b of cam ||4 andplunger |21 moves upwardly under the tension of spring |33, so that thecarriage jaws are moved toward each other to clamp a tape bundle. Roller|24 continues to roll over portion I |5b of cam I5, which permits thejaws to remain in the lowered position, while roller |28 engages portion||4c of cam ||4, which maintains the carriage jaws in clamped positionuntil, at the end of portion |I4e, and just before roller |24 leaves theportion |l5b, roller |28 ascends portion ||4d of cam ||4, which forcesdown roller |28 to open the jaws. Roller |24 now ascends portion ||5c o|cam H5, while, at the same time, roller |28 descends portion ||4e of cam||4, these portions of the respective cams being so formed that,although frame |22 is raised to raise the carriage jaws above the table,roller |28 is permitted to have an identical upward movement at the sametime, so that there is no relative motion between plunger |21 and thecross member |25 oi slide |22, and the carriage jaws remain open. As thecams continue to rotate, roller |24 engages portion ||5d of cam ||5,while roller |28 engages portion ||4f of cam |4, until the positionsshown in Fig. 12 are reached.

Fig. 13 is a View in side elevation of a pair oi the cams |48 and |48for operating the outer table jaws. It shows the cams in the positionthey occupy when the table jaws are retracted below the table and open.As cams |48 and |48 revolve clockwise from the position shown, roller|58 descends portion |4811 of cam |48, which permits the slide |55 torise to project the jaws. At the same time. an equal upward movement isimparted to roller as it ascends portion |4811 of cam |48, so that thereis no movement oi plunger |84 relative to slide |56 and the outer tablejaws remain open. Portion |48b of cam |48 n ow moves in engagement withroller |58. permitting the outer table jaws to remain projected. but, atthe very beginning of this movement, roller |65 descends portion |40b'ofcam |48, permitting spring |10 to close the outer table jaws upon a tapebundle. Portion |40c of cam |48 now moves in engagement with rolle; |65holding the jaws clamped on the bundle until, just before roller |53leaves portion |4911 of cam |49, when roller |65 ascends portion |40d ofcam |48, which forces the plunger |54 upwardly to open the jaws andrelease the bundle. Roller |65 now ascends portion |49c of cam |49,which lowers slide |56 to retract the outer table jaws. and, at the sametime, roller |55 descends portion 140e of cam |48, so that the downwardmovement of slide |55 does not effect relative motion of plunger |64with respect to slide |56 and the table jaws remain open. Portion |40!of cam |40 now engages roller |65 and portion |49d of cam |49 engagesroller |56, until the starting point, shown in Fig. 13, is reached.

Fig. 14 shows in side elevation a pair of the cams |50 and I5| foractuating the inner table Jaws. These are much like the cams |48 and |49for operating the outer table jaws, shown in Fig. 13, and the portionsof cams |50 and |5| have been similarly denoted. The principaldifference between the cams for the inner table jaws and those for theouter table jaws is in the rela tive length of portions ||b and |5|dcompared with |491 and |49d, and of portions |50c and |50] compared with|4Bc and |40f, necessitated by the fact that the inner -jaws are to beprojected and clamped on the bundle for much less of the cycle than inthe case of the outer table jaws.

Fig. 9 is a timing chart for this apparatus. At 0 (or 360) of the cycle,the left outer table jaws |13 are retracted below the table and open,the left saw |90 is withdrawn. the left inner table jaws |11 are belowthe table and open, the left set of strip-feeding ngers 245 are open andprojected above the table, and the left carriage jaws |36 are projectedand clamped upon a tape bundle. The carriage 90, which is at the lett ofthe table, is about to start its travel from left to right. The rightcarriage jaws |35 are retracted within the carriage body and open, theright set of strip-feeding fingers 245 is projected above the tableclamping a strip bundle and pressing lit toward the strips in themagazine, the right inner table jaws |11 are retracted below the tableand open. the right saw |90 is withdrawn and the right outer table jaws|13 are projected above the table and clamped on the tape bundle RA. At30, .the left saw unit begins its advance toward the left tape bundleLA. At 63, the lett outer table jaws |13 and the left inner table jaws|11 are projected above the table. At 84, the carriage 90 completes littravel from left to right and theleft outer table jaws |13 and the leftinner table jaws |11 close to clamp the left tape bundle LA, which hasbeen drawn from left to right across the table by the carriage. At 90,the left saw |95 cuts the left tape bundle LA to form a strip bundleand, at the same time, the left set oi' strip-feeding finger pairs 245close to clamp the strip bundle thus formed. At 96, the left carriagejaws |36 open to release the strip bundle. At 108, the left carriagejaws |36 are retracted above the table and the right carriage jaws |34are projected toward the table, straddllng the tape bundle RA. At 114,the left inner table jaws |11 open to release the strip bundle. At 120,the left saw |90 begins its withdrawal movement. At 123, the left inner16 table jaws |11 are retracted below the table. At 132, the projectedright carriage jaws |36 close to clamp the tape bundle RA. At 144, theleft set 'of stnlp-feeding fingers 245 advances to shift a strip bundletoward the magazine. At 147, the right outer table jaws |13 open torelease the tape bundle RA. At 150, the left; set oi' feeding lingersbegins to press the strip bundle against the supply of previously fedstrips. At

156, the right set of strip-feeding linger pairs 245 falls below thetable, thus being withdrawn from the strip bundle which it engaged, andthe open right outer table jaws are retracted. At 174, the withdrawalmovement of the left saw |90 is completed and the right set ofstrip-feeding finger pairs 245 is retracted to initial position in linewith the the path of the tape bundle. At the carriage 90, which hasremained stationary at the right-hand position from 84, begins itstravel from right. to left to draw the tape bundle RA across the table.At the same time, the right set of strip-feeding finger pairs 245 risesabove the table. At 210, the right saw |90 begins it advance toward thetape bundle RA. At 243, the night inner table jaws |11 and the rightouter table jaws |13 are projected above the table. At 264, the carriage90 completes its travel from right toeleft and, at the same time, theright inner table jaws |11 and the right outer table jaws |13 close toclamp the tape bundle RA. At 270, the right saw |90 cuts the tape bundleRA to form a strip bundle, and the right set of strip-feeding fingerpairs 245 closes to clamp the strip bundle. At 276, the right carriagejaws |36 open to release the strip bundle. At 288", the left carriagejaws |36 are projected toward the table to straddle the tape bundle LA,and the right carriage jaws |36 are retracted within the carriage body.At 294, the right inner table jaws |11 open and release the stripbundle. At 300, the right saw |90 begins its withdrawal movement. At303, the right inner table jaws |11 are retracted below the table. At312, the left carriage jaws |35 close to clamp the tape bundle LA. At324, the night set of strip-feeding finger pairs 245 advances to shiftthe strip bundle toward the strips in the magazine. At 327, the leftouter table jaws |13 open to release the tape bundle LA. At 330, theright set of strip-feeding finger pairs 245 begins to press the stripbundle against the strips in the magazine. At 336, the left outer tablejaws are retracted below the surface of the table and the left set ofstrip-feeding finger pairs 245 falls below the table. At 354, the leftset of strip-feeding finger pairs 245 is retracted toward initialposition and the linger pairs open, and the right saw |90 ends itwithdrawal movement. At 360, the left set of strip-feeding finger pairs245 rises above the table and the carriage 90 begins it movement fromleft to right.

Operation The strip-forming and feeding apparatus herein described isprepared for operation, as follows. A plurality oi' coils of chipboardtape 6| are mounted on the mandrels B0, at the right and left sides ofthe table (Figs. 2 and 2a). The operator draws successive tapes A fromeach of these coils at one side of the table over the surface of theguide roll 02 and, then, giving each tape a quarter turn into a verticalplane, passes it between a pair of the rollers 04 (Fig. 4) of the reed43. The free ends of the tapes A are then condensed by hand into abundle which the opera- A 17 tor draws between the vertical rolls andalong the surface of the table 2l, sumciently to in- .sure that the endof each tape has passed the position of the outer table jaws |13, at thecorresponding end or the table. The apparatus is then operated underpower until such outer table jaws |13 are projected, when the tapebundle is placed between them by hand and the jaws |13 allowed to clampit. The free ends of the tapes are then severed by hand. adjacent to theinner edges of the jaws |13, and discarded. The apparatus continues tobe operated under power until the carriage 90, which is assumed to havebeen at the opposite end of the table, traverses the latter and comes torest centrally above the jaws |13 and |11, as shown in Fis'. 5. Asimilar operation is then carried out by hand to insert a tape bundlefrom the tapes A of the coils 8| on the mandrel 00, at the opposite endof the table, between the outer table iaws |13 at that end to clamp thefree ends. A metal bar 301, having a thickness corresponding t0 thewidth of the strips being handled, is placed on the table parallel tothe line of travel of the carriage, and in the approximate positionshown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The guide bars 213 4are then adjustedto a height slightly greater than the width of the strips to be formedand the apparatus is ready for automatic operation. It is assumed thathydraulic iiuid from an independent source is supplied to the line 219(Fig. l1) that the gear pump 230 is in operation supplying uld underpressure to line 236, that compressed air from an independent source,such as an air compressor, is being supplied to the line 230, thatelectric current is supplied to the circuits controlled by the camswitches 28|, and that electric current is supplied to drive the motors|33 of the saw units. Power is then applied to the drive shaft 50 (Fig.3) thus setting in motion drive shafts 51 and 16.

It will be assumed that the automatic operation starts at the beginningof a cycle, at which time the left tape bundle LA is clamped by the leftcarriage jaws |36. the carriage 50 being at the left side of the table.The right tape bundle RA is clamped by the right outer table jaws |13.The left outer table jaws |13 and the left inner table jaws |11 are openand below the table. The right inner table jaws |11 are also open andbelow the table. The right carriage jaws |36 are open and withdrawnwithin the carriage body. The strip-feeding finger pairs 245 of the leftset are open and projected above the table, one finger of each pairbeing on either side of the path of the tape bundle. The rightstrip-feeding linger pairs 245 are above the table and advanced so as topress against bar 301. Both saw units are in their withdrawn position.At the beginning of the cycle, the carriage 90 begins its travel fromleft to right across the table, drawing the left tape bundle LA with it,between the fingers of the left set of finger pairs 245. Before thecarriage reaches the limit of its movement to the right, the left outerand inner table jaws |13 and |11 have been projected above the table,straddiing the left tape bundle LA, and, in the meantime, the left saw|50 has commenced its advance toward the tape bundle. At the instant thecarriage reaches its right-hand position, the left outer and inner tablejaws |13 and |11 close to clamp the tape bundle LA and, then, the leftsaw cuts the tape bundle LA to form a strip bundle. At the same instant,the lingers of the leit set of finger pairs 245 close to clamp the 18strip bundle and the left carriage jaws |30 open to release it, saidcarriage jaws being retracted within the carriage body shortlythereafter. After completing the cut, the left saw Ill withdraws to itsnormal withdrawn position. In the meantime, after the carriage 93reaches its right-hand position, the right carriage jaws |36 areprojected from within the carriage body to straddle the end of the righttape bundle RA. and soon thereaftersaid jaws are closed on that tapebundle to clamp it. Shortly thereafter, the right outer table laws |13open to release the right tape bundle RA and are then retracted belowthe table. Just before the right outer table jaws open, the left set oi'strip-feeding linger pairs 245 advances toward the bar 301 to shift thestrip bundle out of the path of the tape bundle and press it against theright set of strip-feeding iinger pairs 245, which, however, soon fallsbelow the level of the table so that the left set of stripfeeding ringerpairs presses the strip bundle against the bar 301. After the right setof stripfeeding finger pairs fails below the table it is retracted toinitial position, in line with the path of the tape bundle and opened,and immediately thereafter it rises so that the ngers of said set are inposition for the right tape bundle RA to be drawn between them.

At the midpoint of the cycle. the carriage 00 is at its right-handposition and the right carriage jaws |35 clamp the end of the right tapebundle RA, the right inner and outer table jaws |11 and |13 beingretracted below the table and open, and the left outer table jaws |13being projected above the table and closed, clamping the end of the lefttape bundle LA. The left set of stripfeeding linger pairs 245 is inadvanced position pressing the strip bundle against the bar 301, whilethe right set of strip-feeding finger pairs 245 is projected above thetable and the nger pairs are open so that the right tape bundle RA maybe drawn between them. The carriage begins its movement from right toleft, drawing the right tape bundle RA from right to left across thetable between the fingers of the right set of strip-feeding finger pairs245. Shortly before the carriage completes its travel from right toleft, the right inner table jaws |11 and the right outer table jaws |13are projected above the table and clamped on the right tape bundle RA atthe instant the travel of the carriage from right to left is completed.In the meantime, the right saw has advanced and, soon after the rightouter and inner table jaws clamp the bundle RA, the right saw cuts it toform a strip bundle. Thereupon, the finger pairs 245 of the right setclamp this strip bundle and the right carriage jaws |36 release it andare retracted within the carriage body. At the same time, the leftcarriage jaws |36 are projected from the carriage body toward the tableand clamp the end of the left tape bundle LA. At about the same time,the right inner table jaws |11 are opened to release the strip bundleand withdrawn below the table, the left outer table jaws` |13 open torelease the left tape bundle LA and are Withdrawn below the surface ofthe table, and the right set of strip-feeding linger pairs 245 advancesand presses the strip bundle against the preceding strip bundle towardthe magazine. Soon after this advance of the right fingers 245, the leftlingers 245 fall below the table and are then retracted to the positionin line with the path of the tape bundle, opened. and rise above thetable top.

